Drone Weather UK: Is It Good to Fly Today?

What makes good drone weather

• Wind speed. The steady average. Lighter drones have much lower limits than heavier ones, as the table below shows.
• Gusts. Short peaks above the average. They are what tends to push a small drone off its hover, so they get a limit of their own.
• Wind at height. Wind is usually stronger higher up than at ground level. See how wind changes at 10 m, 80 m and 120 m.
• Rain. Most consumer drones are not waterproof. What matters is when rain arrives and how long it lasts, not only the percentage chance.
• Visibility. Fog, mist and low cloud can hide the drone from view and make flying harder.
• Temperature. Cold cuts battery capacity, so winter flights can be shorter than the manual suggests.
• Geomagnetic activity. Strong activity can disturb GPS and the compass. The KP index explained.

How much wind can your drone handle?

Limits differ a lot between models. These are the figures DroneChecker uses. The Do Not Fly line is based on the manufacturer's published maximum wind resistance for the model, and the Caution line is DroneChecker's own margin below it. Gusts are checked separately.

Compare all 17 drones →  ·  Wind speed converter

Drone weather across the UK

Wind in the UK mostly arrives from the south-west, so west-facing coasts, headlands and hills are often the first places to feel it. Hills, cliffs and valleys can turn a steady wind into gusty, turbulent air, and conditions can differ a lot a few miles apart.

Daylight matters too. In southern England there are about 8 hours of daylight in mid-December and about 16½ in mid-June, and the swing is bigger further north. Autumn and winter mornings bring fog and low cloud more often, and cold air shortens battery life.

A forecast describes an area, not the exact spot you are standing on. Treat it as a guide and look at the conditions when you arrive.

Conditions by region

What is free, and what is on Plus

Free, with no account needed: the fly rating for your drone, the live weather dashboard, the 6-hour forecast and the KP index. You can also switch on a free Friday heads-up that names the best flying window of the coming weekend. How alerts work.

Plus adds the extended 72-hour hourly forecast, a 7-day best-day-to-fly planner and the wind detail at 10 m, 80 m and 120 m.

Drone weather questions

• What is good weather for flying a drone?
  Wind and gusts within your drone's limits, no rain, clear visibility and mild temperatures. Lighter drones need calmer days than heavier ones, so the same forecast can be fine for one drone and not for another. A rating for your exact model is the quickest way to tell.
• What is the best time of day to fly a drone in the UK?
  Wind is often lighter early in the morning and in the evening, and the low sun gives the best light for photography and video. Check the hour-by-hour forecast rather than assuming, because a front can change a day completely.
• Can you fly a drone in the rain?
  Most consumer drones are not waterproof, so check what your manufacturer says. Rain also spots the lens and makes it harder to see the drone. When rain is forecast, the timing matters more than the percentage chance: a short shower with a dry window either side may leave a usable gap.
• Does cold weather affect drone flights?
  Yes. Cold cuts battery capacity, so flights can be shorter than the manual suggests in winter. Keeping batteries warm until you launch helps, and leaving yourself extra margin for the flight back is sensible.
• Is there a free drone weather app for the UK?
  DroneChecker's fly rating, live weather dashboard, 6-hour forecast and KP index are free, with no account needed and no adverts.
• Can I see the drone weather for tomorrow or next week?
  The free tier shows the next 6 hours. Plus adds an extended 72-hour hourly forecast and a 7-day best-day-to-fly planner. There is also a free Friday heads-up that names the best flying window of the coming weekend, which needs no account.
• Where does the weather data come from?
  Forecast data comes from Open-Meteo and is updated hourly. The app fetches fresh data when you open it and refreshes every 30 minutes while it is open. A forecast describes an area rather than the exact spot you are standing on, so hills, cliffs and buildings can make a site windier or calmer than the forecast suggests.